BitLocker is the built-in full-disk encryption feature in Windows Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions. It encrypts the operating system drive and fixed data drives using AES-XTS, with optional TPM-backed pre-boot authentication.
Reviewed by Marcus Holmberg
BitLocker
learn.microsoft.com/windows/security/operating-system-security/data-protection/bitlocker 4 ratings so far*
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Threat level
Covered
A covered pick. Anyone can use it as a private drop-in, with no setup or know-how. Enough for most people. Threat levels
Our take
BitLocker requires no installation and is the lowest-friction path to full-disk encryption for Windows users who already have a supported edition. TPM integration means the drive unlocks transparently at boot without a passphrase, which is convenient but also means physical access to the machine can defeat the protection if TPM pins are not set. It is closed-source and Microsoft holds the encryption design, which is a genuine trust consideration compared to open alternatives. A reasonable baseline for Windows device encryption, particularly in managed enterprise environments, but not the right tool if you need cross-platform access or verifiable open-source code.
Website at a glance
learn.microsoft.com
B score 70
Solid website security headers
Graded by Mozilla HTTP Observatory, tested today
Inspect this site yourself
Measures the security configuration of the tool's own website, not the privacy of the product itself. A strong tool can still score low here.
BitLocker alternatives
PrivacyNotes Encrypted notes, tasks, calendar, files, passwords and a journal with mood and medication tracking, all unlocked by one 12-word recovery phrase. Sign up with no email and no password. Open source.
7-Zip File archiver with a high compression ratio and built-in encryption functionality.
FileVault FileVault is the built-in full-disk encryption feature in macOS. On Macs with Apple silicon or a T2 chip, data is encrypted by hardware by default; enabling FileVault adds a login-password gate that prevents decryption without your credentials.
VERNAM A free, fully client-side file encryptor that runs in your browser. Drop in any file, set or generate a passphrase, and it seals the result into its own .vrn format. Nothing is ever uploaded, and it works offline.
VeraCrypt It can create a virtual encrypted disk that works just like a regular disk but within a file. It can also encrypt a partition or the entire storage device with pre-boot…
Cryptomator Cryptomator encrypts your data quickly and easily. Afterwards you upload them protected to a cloud service.
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